When I decided to write Dark House (the working title of my book), I had some big plans.

Some big, ridiculous plans.

The first draft was supposed to be done by August 1st, giving me about four months to write it. That date has come and gone and I’m a little under halfway done with the first draft.

I wanted to have the book edited and published by late December, at the latest early 2019.

My plans weren’t impossible, but my reasons for them weren’t smart.

I wanted to get my book out quickly because the faster I finished it, the faster I could, theoretically, start making money from it, the faster I could become a successful author and quit my day job.

Life and laziness got in the way of my daily writing, and I didn’t like the pressure I was putting on the creative process of writing the first draft.

I started thinking about what I was writing according to what my imaginary audience would like. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but not something I need to worry about this early in the process.

I find it much more fulfilling to write freely, using only my gut feeling as a compass for where the story goes.

So, I’ve changed my plans. I’m actively searching for a job better suited to me, and continuing to work on my book at a realistic pace.

Ultimately, I’m not writing a book just to make money, I’m writing it because I need to, I need to tell this story in my head. I may not make money from this book for quite some time after it’s published, or ever. I had to ask myself: If I knew for a fact that Dark House would never turn a profit, would I still write it? The answer is yes.

I’m shifting my mindset and my goals to better serve my creativity, and I’m a much more content person because of it.